Naval Station Rota successfully completed an anti-terrorism and force protection (ATFP) drill as part of a three-part, Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia (CNREURAFSWA) assessment, March 16.

The exercise measured the effectiveness of security department's emergency responses plans while drawing upon the support of tenant commands and other departments basewide. The drill is the second phase of multi-step training program which culminates with a final evaluation problem (FEP).

"FEP is a CNIC (Commander, Navy Installations Command)-led operational assessment of the ability of an installation's naval security force to meet all core competencies stipulated in the Naval Security Force Training Manual, as well as Navy, global operational requirements," said Senior Chief Master-at-Arms Matthew Paul, Harbor Patrol Unit (HPU) leading chief petty officer. "It will be CNIC's way of saying we have done our checks and balances for NAVSTA Rota and we have tested them, assessed them, and they are certified for oversight with 'big Navy.'"

The training scenario simulated an unidentified vessel attempting to breach the base's harbor and firing upon responding Security units. The engagement resulted in simulated injuries to responding Security forces who were then treated by fire department and medical team members called to the scene.

"I was the first responder EMT (emergency medical technician) with our emergency management service," said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Joshua Eckel, assigned to U.S. Naval Hospital Rota. "My job was to see the patients, triage them, and assign roles to provide care for the patients and tell the triage officer about it."

This drill was the first time the Rota HPU performed a large-scale training event which involved multiple base departments at the pier.

"Training is always going to identify the problem areas, but generally speaking, I think it was great to have all the agencies work together," said Joseph Orona, CNREURAFSWA training chief for Fire and Emergency Services. "In my experience with the Navy, sometimes it's difficult for hospital medics, EOD (explosive ordnance disposal), fire, and everybody to find the time in their schedules because of all the assessments that they're having to do throughout the year. It was great to see Rota step up and involve all the agencies."

Naval Station Rota enables and supports operations of U.S. and allied forces and provides quality services in support of the fleet, fighter, and family for CNIC in Navy Region EURAFSWA.

Just as a ship performs lines of operation which provide a capability, Navy Region EURAFSWA bases perform the same eight lines of operation to provide capability to the fleet and joint and allied forces. These eight lines of operation are air operations, port operations, safety, security, Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR), Fleet and Family Services and what is called the core -- the fuels, water, and power which keep the bases running. Through the lines of operation, installations are force multipliers which maximize the combat capability of operational units.

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For more news from Naval Station Rota, Spain, visit http://www.navy.mil/ or http://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnreurafswa/installations/ns_rota.html.